I chatted with Chris Blazina PhD about canine behaviour on the Canine Save the Folks podcast.
I’ve received a brand new podcast to share with you!
I used to be a visitor on the Canine Save the Folks podcast, the place I chatted about canines with host Chris Blazina PhD.
Blazina can also be a psychologist and so we had a very enjoyable chat about canine behaviour. You may pay attention right here:
Here is the official present description:
John Bradshaw was one of many first individuals to write down about “how the brand new science of canine habits could make you a greater pal to your pet.” His work impressed psychologist and tutorial professor Zazie Todd, who determined to begin an internet site known as Companion Animal Psychology to additional discover translating these concepts for a bigger inhabitants past lecturers in her writing.
Zazie goals to seek out fascinating insights and break them down into digestible items of knowledge that she feels are useful to canine dad and mom. This additionally become writing two comparable canine and cat books: Wag: The Science of Making Your Canine Pleased (2020) and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Pleased (2023).
In October 2024, she launched one other canine-focused e-book entitled Bark: The Science of Serving to Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Canine. On this e-book, Zazie shares precious info for all canine dad and mom and offers perception into what to look out for relating to these behaviors in our canine companions. For instance: a canine may have anxiousness if they’ve a low posture or are hiding usually. The extra you examine and concentrate, the higher you may acknowledge the attributes.
Zazie additionally provides some suggestions. When you understand your canine could also be having these destructive emotions, the way you strategy it’ll rely upon their age. In the event that they’re a pet, they could want socialization throughout a important window. In the event that they’re a canine who was adopted through the pandemic, and issues are altering swiftly with how a lot one is at house, then it’s best to present different constants to maintain them snug in consistency. In the event that they’re a senior canine, you should pay further consideration to their well being – even ensuring to go to the vet – as ache in older canines might be displayed by behavioral adjustments or points.
Throughout any coaching or on a regular basis interactions together with your canines, extra aggressive or “dominating” strategies by people have confirmed to be not simply ineffective however dangerous. Zazie says that solely optimistic reinforcement strategies ought to be used, which end in higher coaching and happier canines. Unfavorable reinforcement methods will not be solely unhelpful, however they’re actively damaging.
The pursuit of happiness for our canine companions is one thing canine dad and mom ought to all try in the direction of, and it’s key to stay consinsitent and diligent within the course of. The objective ought to be to higher perceive what they’re feeling and supply correct options. By taking a look at canines’ feelings and habits by way of a tutorial and researched lens, we’re in a position to frequently higher perceive the pets in our lives and the way our actions influence them. Because the analysis continues, our capability to do that will solely grow to be extra nuanced and helpful for all.
Pleased listening!
